Anisong World Matsuri completed its 2-day event at Otakon in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, August 12, with performances by two diverse anisong artists – gothic metal band Yousei Teikoku and rock group FLOW. 3000 fans filled the event hall at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to experience a second day of anisong entertainment.

Bathed in red light, Yousei Teikoku’s Grand Dictator for Life (vocalist), Empress Yui strode on stage to take command of the room. The choral opening of “Kyusei Argyros”, from the anime Tokyo ESP, rang out over the fans who held their red light sticks in the air to welcome her with shouts of “Yui-sama!”

Without a break, the band continued straight into songs from their numerous anime and game themes, including Future Diary, Queen’s Gate: Spiral Chaos, and Big Order.

The Empress of the Fairy Empire inducted the thousands of new subjects by teaching them the chorus to the band’s signature concert song, “Patriot Anthem”, leading the crowd to chant “We Are Martyr, We Are Believer, And We Just Believe The Fairy!”

As she looked over the audience, Yui smiled and proclaimed, “You have… pleased me.”

Yousei Teikoku finished their set with three hardcore metal songs, including their new single “flamma idola”, and one of their most popular songs among international fans, “Kouusou Mesorogiwi”, the original opening theme of Future Diary.

FLOW took the stage next to joyous applause, jumping into the Naruto Shippuden theme song “Sign”. With over 20 anime songs to their credit, the band were treated as superstars by the Otakon audience, who stayed on their feet for FLOW’s entire set.

“Minna sugoi!” vocalist KEIGO exclaimed. “We’re having a great time tonight! I’m so happy you guys know us! I’m even more happy we got to meet you today! There’s a great distance between DC and Japan, but the sky is connected. We’re doing this concert to connect to you. This connection will never end!”

Known for their non-stop energy, FLOW demonstrated the musical skill that has kept them at the top for 15 years, including member introductions with mesmerizing bass and drum solos and guitarist TAKE’s appearance in an outrageous golden bearded wrestler’s mask.

FLOW’s concert already had the crowd near their limit when KEIGO announced a special guest, JAM Project’s Hironobu Kageyama, who joined the band on stage to perform the Dragon Ball theme “Cha-La-Head-Cha-La”, originated by Kageyama in 1989 and covered by FLOW in 2013 for the film Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods. It was the first time the two artists had performed the song together in America, making it a special moment for Otakon fans.

The most powerful moment of the concert came when FLOW announced the next song would be “GO!!” – their famous theme song from Naruto, which was recently re-recorded by the band for their latest EP Fighting Dreamers. All 3000 fans joined the band to sing the chorus of “We Are Fighting Dreamers! Oli Oli Oli Oh-!”

As FLOW thanked the audience at the end of their set, the crowd began shouting for more even before the band had left the stage, their shouts turning from “Encore! Encore!” to “FLOW! FLOW!”

FLOW returned to the stage with Empress Yui from Yousei Tekoku, who added her vocals to an exciting, first-ever collaboration performance of the Code Geass theme song “COLORS”.

All the members of Yousei Teikoku came out to join hands with FLOW as the performers led the audience in a chant of “Banzai!” to end the two-day Anisong World Matsuri at Otakon 2017.

ANISONG WORLD MATSURI
With the goal of delivering Japan’s anisong concerts worldwide in the highest quality, Japan’s leading entertainment companies teamed up to produce Anisong World Matsuri.

The first Anisong World Matsuri was held in July 2016 at Anime Expo in Los Angeles, California at the Microsoft Theater and multiple other venues for a total attendance of over 18,000. In 2017, Anisong World Matsuri returns to deliver anisong to fans in the United States and the world.

ABOUT Otakon® AND OTAKORP, INC
Now entering its twenty-fourth year, Otakon is an annual celebration of Japanese and East Asian popular culture, and also one of the largest gatherings of fans in the United States. Otakon celebrates popular culture as a gateway to deeper understanding of Asian culture, and has grown along with the enthusiasm for anime, manga, video games, and music from the Far East. Historically, Otakon has drawn up to 34,000 people for three days each year (for a paid attendance of over 100,000 turnstile attendees). Otakon is a membership based convention sponsored by Otakorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based, 501(c)3 educational non-profit whose mission is to promote the appreciation of Asian culture, primarily through its media and entertainment. Otakorp, Inc. is directed by an all-volunteer, unpaid staff – we are run by fans, for fans.